Light signal



w. K. HOWE Oct. 1, 1929.

LIGHT S I GNAL Original Filed Jan/25. 1922 f lgvgmoR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINTHROP K. HOWE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK LIGHT SIGNAL Original application filed January 25,

This invention relates to light signals in general and especially to signals of this kind for railway signaling purposes.

The present application is a division of application 531,588 filed January 25, 1922.

The principal object andpurpose of the present invention is the provis on of a signal particularly adapted to receive an incandescent lamp which has a concentrated filament and is of a construction in which its filament is located in a predetermined and fixed relation to the base and its anchoring nns.

1 Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanymg drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of one form of light signal embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the hue 2-2, Fig. 3 viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the. line 33, Fig. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows.

In general the present invention comprises a casing C, a light concentrating unit U, such as a doublet lens combination and a detachable lamp supporting pedestal P.

More specifically, the invention comprises a casing C provided with a large circular opening in its front wall. The casing has bolted thereto a flanged pipe coupling 5 by which the casing may be supported on the usual signal pole 6.

In the large circular opening is supported a lens barrel 7 by screws 8. .The outer end of the lens barrel is provided with a circular lens seat 9 supporting a large lens 10. This lens is held in place by a retaining ring or bezel ring 11, having a semi-circular flange 12 to which is bolted a shield 13. The inner 1922, Serial No. 531,588. Divided and this application filed June 29, 1927. Serial No. 202,357.

are provided with suitable yieldable material between them and their respective retaining rings, to serve as cushions. These lenses are f a design such that a very large solid angle of light may be refracted into a single beam of light of the desired spread. For the purposes of convenience the point at which the concentrated light source must be located, in order to produce the desired light beam, will be referred to as the focal point of the combination or the focus, and this point is very near the inner lens.

An opening or socket is provided at the bottom of the casing to receive the detachable lamp supporting pedestal or adapter P. This pedestal comprises a standard 18 having a flange 19 at the bottom, through which screws pass into the bottom of the casing to rigidly and accurately support thesame. The neck of the standard is provided with a split insulating collar 20 riveted thereto. Contact straps 21 are fastened to the insulating collar 20 by screws 22 from which Wires 23 lead to the socket or receptacle 24 mounted on the top of the standard. This socket 24 is of the usual bayonet type construction, but is so mounted with respect to the flange 19 of the standard,

- that the concentrated filament 25 of a standardized (precision) lamp 26 carried by the socket shell is located at the focal point of the lens combination. The object to be obtained two upstanding spring contact fingers 29 constructed and arranged to bear against the contact straps 21 (see Figs. 2 and 3): This insulating block 27 is provided with suitable binding posts 30 for connecting the contact straps with a source of energy. The object in providing the readily detachable means for supporting the lamp pedestal or adapter P and the cooperating spring contact fingers, is to facilitate the changing of lamps when broken or burnt out.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A light signal comprising;a casin having an openin'gin one w, all,.,an optical evice in said opening, a second opening in the casing, a support carrying"- an incandescent lamp adapted to be fastened insaid second opening so that the lamp is-dispose'd within the casing and the second opening closed by said support; and a separable connector comprising insulated laterally biased springclips located ontheecasi-ng and lateral contacts located on the support for conducting current to said lamp.

In testimony whereof I hereto afilx my signature.

. WINTHROP K. HOWE. 

